Murphy takes on utility role with Yankees' affiliate RiverDogs

William S. Paxton

Updated 11:54 pm, Thursday, July 24, 2014

John Murphy is the lead off hitter for the Staten Island Yankess, June 17th, 2013.flies out to CF. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)
Photo: (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Fl, Contributed Photo

John Murphy is the lead off hitter for the Staten Island Yankess,...

Staten Island Yankees John Murphy fakes the steal but ends up on 2nd after the ball get bay the catcher, June 23rd, 2013. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)
Photo: Contributed Photo

Staten Island Yankees John Murphy fakes the steal but ends up on...

Staten Island Yankees John Murphy beats the throw to Hudson Valley Renegades 14 Darryl George on a run back play at 1st in the 3rd inning Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)
Photo: (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyo, Contributed Photo

Staten Island Yankees John Murphy runs to first on a base hit that scored a run against the Batavia Muckdogs in the 2nd inning Friday July 19, 2013 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. Goerge. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)
Photo: Contributed Photo

The travel bag weighs a little heavier on John Murphy's shoulder this summer. It should when you are required to pack four gloves instead of one for those long bus rides through the southeastern part of the country.

"They came up to me in spring training about it," Murphy said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon from Lexington, Ky., where the RiverDogs were in the middle of a three-game series with the Legends (Kanas City Royals). "They asked me to be a utility guy."

Murphy, who was taken in the sixth round -- the highest pick ever for a SHU player -- by the Yankees in last year's draft, spent the 2013 summer playing shortstop for short-season Staten Island in the New York-Penn League. Murphy was receptive to being taken out of his comfort zone.

"At first they kind of said they wanted me to play second and third base, but a couple of days later, I was at first and then the outfield," said Murphy, who spent most of spring training testing out new positions for the Class AA Trenton Thunder before being assigned to Charleston. "(Being versatile) will help me out in the long run."

The hardest position for Murphy to transition to has been the outfield corners, where he doesn't see quite as much action as shortstop.

"I just had to read the ball off the bats a little different," he said.

Murphy might not know where he is headed in the field each night, but his bat has come around after a tough summer in Staten Island (.173 average). In 63 games with Charleston, Murphy is hitting .267 -- .305 against left-handers -- with 14 RBIs and is second on the RiverDogs in stolen bases with 17.

"I just worked on a few things this off-season," said Murphy, who trained over the winter with former SHU assistant Alex Trezza. "I was hitting with a guy who knew my flaws (and how to work through them)."

In addition to hitting with Trezza, who was hired as the head coach at Long Island University Brooklyn in June, Murphy spent the off-season working out five days a week.

"The off-season was a big thing for me," Murphy said. "It was the first time all I was concerned about was baseball."

The work ethic carried over to a solid spring in Tampa, Fla., before Murphy moved into his super utility role, which has even included serving as the emergency backup catcher and a few stints in the bullpen.

"I've warmed up in the bullpen a few times (during games)," said Murphy, who last pitched at Seymour High School.

The position shuffling has helped break up some of the daily grind Murphy has endured through 102 games this season. So have welcomed visits from his mother, family, friends and girlfriend.

"It's a long year, but I'm enjoying it," he said.

The RiverDogs entered play Thursday 16-16 (third place in the Southern Division) in the second half of the SAL season, and have some ground to make up if they want to make the postseason.

The trade deadline is also lurking, but Murphy said he's not worried about being dealt by the Yankees and remains focused on improving his game.

"I just take it day by day," he said. "They make random moves all the time."